초록 ▼

A panel unit (2) for constructional purposes has at least two joining flanges (10, 12) on opposite surfaces (4, 4′) located at, or adjacent to, a common edge of the panel unit, and projecting in mutually opposite directions. Two such panel units (2) may be juxtaposed end to end and secured by a two-

A panel unit (2) for constructional purposes has at least two joining flanges (10, 12) on opposite surfaces (4, 4′) located at, or adjacent to, a common edge of the panel unit, and projecting in mutually opposite directions. Two such panel units (2) may be juxtaposed end to end and secured by a two-part connector (17) having a base portion (18) that is adapted for attaching to a fixed structural element (20) and for anchoring to the flanges (12) on a first surface (4′) of the panel units 2, and a cap (19) adapted for anchoring to the flanges (10) on an opposite surface (4) of the panel units (2) and for anchoring to the base portion.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A panel unit for constructional purposes, comprising a body portion and at least two joining flanges, said at least two joining flanges each projecting from opposite surfaces of a pair of outer surfaces of the body portion, said outer surfaces being configured such that a maximum distance between

1. A panel unit for constructional purposes, comprising a body portion and at least two joining flanges, said at least two joining flanges each projecting from opposite surfaces of a pair of outer surfaces of the body portion, said outer surfaces being configured such that a maximum distance between the outer surfaces defines a maximum thickness of the panel unit at a location adjacent or spaced from said joining flanges and said at least two joining flanges each being located at, or close to, a common end surface of the panel unit and projecting away from each other in mutually opposite directions, and said flanges being arranged such that at least one of the flanges projects outside said maximum thickness of the panel unit from a respective one of the outer surfaces, wherein the flanges projecting from at least one of the outer surfaces of the body portion have multiple detents on an outer surface configured for engaging and gripping compatible multiple detents in an internal surface of a female connector. 2. A structure comprising, in combination, a pair of juxtaposed panel units each including a body portion and at least two joining flanges each projecting from opposite surfaces of a pair of outer surfaces of the body portion, such that a maximum distance between the outer surfaces defines a maximum thickness of the panel unit at a location adjacent or spaced from said joining flanges, and a connector assembly for coupling the panel units, wherein the joining flanges are each located at, or close to, a common end surface of the panel unit such that at least one of the flanges on each panel unit projects outside said maximum thickness of the panel unit from a respective one of the outer surfaces, said connector assembly comprising a first female connector adapted for mounting over the flanges on a first surface of the panel units, and a second female connector adapted for mounting over the flanges on an opposite surface of the panel units, wherein at least one of the first female connector and the second female connector has multiple detents on an internal surface configured for engaging and gripping compatible multiple detents on an outer surface of the corresponding flanges. 3. A panel unit for constructional purposes, comprising a body portion having at least two joining flanges each projecting from first and second opposite surfaces of a pair of outer surfaces of the body portion, wherein for each point on the first opposite surface the panel unit has a thickness defined as a minimum distance between said point and the second opposite surface of the panel unit, and a maximum thickness of the panel unit is a maximum of the respective thicknesses of the panel unit for all points on said first opposite surface that do not overlap with a common side joining flange, said at least two joining flanges each being located at, or close to, a common end surface of the panel unit and projecting away from each other in mutually opposite directions so as to extend beyond said outer surfaces, such that a distance between respective tips of the at least two joining flanges exceeds the maximum thickness of the panel unit, and wherein each of said joining flanges includes a detent. 4. The panel unit according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said flanges projects normally with respect to one of said outer surfaces. 5. The panel unit according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said flanges projects at a non-normal angle with respect to one of said outer surfaces. 6. The panel unit according to claim 3, wherein two or more flanges project from a common surface. 7. The panel unit according to claim 3, wherein the flanges have slanting inner surfaces for engaging complementary panel connector slanting legs. 8. The panel unit according to claim 3, wherein the flanges are connected to an end surface of the panel unit via a leg cantilevered to the end surface of the panel unit. 9. The panel unit according to claim 8, wherein the flanges project in opposite directions from the leg to form a generally T-shaped joint. 10. The panel unit according to claim 8, wherein the leg is attached to an intermediate portion of the end surface of the panel unit. 11. The panel unit according to claim 8, wherein the leg is attached at an edge of the end surface of the panel unit. 12. The panel unit according to claim 3, wherein each of the flanges projecting from both of the outer surfaces of the body portion have multiple detents on an outer surface configured for engaging and gripping compatible detents in an internal surface of a female connector. 13. The panel unit according to claim 3, wherein each of said two joining flanges has a tip spaced from a respective, supporting one of said outer surfaces, with the respective outer surfaces being positioned between said tips and each of said two joining flanges projects outside said maximum thickness of the panel unit. 14. The panel unit according to claim 3, wherein the end surface of the panel unit forms a continuous surface with an outer surface of the opposing joining flanges. 15. The panel unit according to claim 3, wherein the panel unit is an extrusion. 16. The panel unit of claim 3, wherein at least one detent comprises a slanted surface in said joining flange configured to provide for a dovetail connection. 17. A structure comprising, in combination, a pair of said panel units of claim 3, wherein said panel units are juxtaposed, and a connector assembly for coupling the panel units, said connector assembly comprising: a first female connector adapted for mounting over the flanges on a first surface of the panel units, anda second female connector adapted for mounting over the flanges on an opposite surface of the panel units. 18. The structure according to claim 17, wherein the first female connector is adapted for fixedly attaching to a structural element. 19. The structure according to claim 17, wherein the first female connector is adapted for anchoring to the second female connector. 20. The structure according to claim 19, wherein a cylindrical bore of height substantially equal to a combined height of the panel unit plus the opposing flanges projects upwards from a center of an internal surface of the second female connector. 21. The structure according to claim 20, wherein the first female connector is anchored to the second female connector via a screw that engages an internal thread of the cylindrical bore. 22. The structure according to claim 21, wherein the screw is self-tapping. 23. The structure according to claim 19, wherein the second female connector and the cylindrical bore are dimensioned such as to leave a gap between an outer surface of the bore and the end surfaces of the panel units so as to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the panel units. 24. The structure according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the first female connector and the second female connector has detents on an internal surface configured for engaging and gripping compatible detents on an outer surface of the corresponding flanges. 25. The structure according to claim 17, wherein the first female connector and the second female connector are each provided on a respective internal surface with detents configured for engaging and gripping compatible detents on an outer surface of the corresponding flanges. 26. A panel unit for constructional purposes, comprising a body portion having at least two joining flanges each projecting from first and second opposite surfaces of a pair of outer surfaces of the body portion, wherein for each point on the first opposite surface the panel unit has a thickness defined as a minimum distance between said point and the second opposite surface of the panel unit, and a maximum thickness of the panel unit is a maximum of the respective thicknesses of the panel unit for all points on said first opposite surface that do not overlap with a common side joining flange, said at least two joining flanges each being located at, or close to, a common end surface of the panel unit and projecting away from each other in mutually opposite directions so as to extend beyond said outer surfaces, such that a distance between respective tips of the at least two joining flanges exceeds the maximum thickness of the panel unit, and wherein both of a pair of reference planes that (i) extend through respective maximum distance defining points in said first and second opposite surfaces and (ii) are normal to a line extending between the respective maximum distance defining points, fall between the respective tips relative to a direction of joining flange extension. 27. The panel unit according to claim 26, wherein said flanges each have at least one detent on an outer surface configured for engaging and gripping compatible detents in an internal surface of a female connector. 28. The panel unit according to claim 26, wherein the flanges are integrally extruded with the body portion as to define a panel unit extrusion with integrated flanges and body portion. 29. A connector for coupling respective joining flanges of first and second parallel panel structures, each panel structure comprising a pair of the panel units of claim 26, with the first and second panel structures each having mutually juxtaposed panel units, said connector comprising: a body portion having opposite first and second ends,a first female receptacle formed within the first end of the body portion and being adapted for mounting over the respective mutually adjacent flanges of a juxtaposed pair of panel units in the first panel structure; anda second female receptacle formed within the second end of the body portion and being adapted for mounting over the respective mutually adjacent flanges of a pair of juxtaposed panel units in the second panel structure.